BRISTOL—It’s no secret that the momentum of a hockey game can shift in the blink of an eye. That was the case Thursday afternoon at Grunst Arena where Malvern Prep and Holy Ghost Prep squared off.

With 5:15 left in the second period and the game scoreless. The Firebirds’ Billy Harmar seemingly gave his team the lead when he put the puck in the net from the slot. But the trail referee immediately waved the goal off and the host were accessed a bench minor for too many men on the ice.

Forty-five seconds later Luke Johnson scored a power-play goal from the left circle, and it was the Friars had the upper hand on the scoreboard. From there, the visitors went on to a 3-1 win.

Lydon MacClay delivered the game-winning goal with a one-timer from two long strides beyond the top of the left circle to give the Friars their second straight win of the young season (1-0 in the APAC).

“I’ve got to give that one to my teammates,” MacClay said. “I was like the third guy high waiting for that puck.”

Trace Levan had tied the game for Holy Ghost Prep (0-2 overall and in the APAC) 33 seconds into the third period.

Much of the post-game focus however was on the goal that wasn’t.

“You can’t take a too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty,” said Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie. “That’s what we just discussed in the locker room. That changes the whole momentum of the game, it gives them a power play, they score on it.”

Ritchie had other concerns on his mind however.

“We lacked {the competitiveness} that we had yesterday against St. Joe’s.” he said.

Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan stressed the importance of his team winning its first two starts, including a win in the hypercompetitive APAC.

“We knew it was going to be a battle he said we’ve got a lot to work on a lot of things to do better but it’s good to get a win.”

MacClay says the caliber of play APAC necessitates doing the little things well.

“It’s the little things that matter,” he said. I know I’m not the best guy out there, but I know if I do the little things, I can do what I can to get my team the win.”

MacClay, a junior, is looking forward to an abundance of closely contested APAC games over the remainder of his scholastic career.

“Every game I’ve played in the APAC been within two or three goals,” he said. It’s always fun, it’s always a battle, and that’s why I love playing in this league.

For the Firebirds, Thursday’s game was another step in the maturation of a young team that is remaking itself.

“I’m going to expect some inconsistency throughout the year just based on how young they are Ritchie said. But at the end of the day hopefully control their effort and they control their attitude. And everybody at this age should be in charge of that.”

Malvern Prep 0 1 2—3

Holy Ghost Prep 0 0 1—2

Second-period goal: Luke Johnson (MP) from Jake Weingartner and Cole Wray, 12:30 (pp)

Third-period goals: Trace Levan (MP) from Mason Thomas, :33; Lydon MacClay (MP) from Reggie Ayers, 8:50; Weingartner (MP) from Cooper Detwiler, 16:53 (en)

Shots: Malvern Prep 23, Holy Ghost Prep 26; Saves: Isaac Matoney (MP) 25. Ryan Carey (HGP) 20